Papaya and Spinach Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

Bright tropical papaya and fresh spinach tossed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette for a crisp and healthy salad bursting with sunshine flavors. This salad recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs fresh papaya, baby spinach leaves, and red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh papaya, peeled and cubed
• 3 cups baby spinach leaves, washed
• 2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
• 3 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 3 cups washed baby spinach leaves, 1 cup peeled and cubed fresh papaya, 2 tbsp thinly sliced red onion, and 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and bright.
3. Step 3: Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and vibrant colors.